Skills Delivered to Argos Distribution
When a national retailer employing more than 600 delivery staff decided to encourage employees to develop their skills, the local learndirect centre was its first port of call.
Argos ’ central distribution centre, based in Burton-on-Trent , supplies products via its network of regional distribution centres across the UK .
Attracted to learndirect because of the variety of courses available and the flexibility to study at a time which suits the individual, they approached local learndirect provider Burton College . The college assessed the company’s needs and initially a tutor visited the Argos site once a week to offer support and advice to staff studying courses.
Employees’ skills were assessed at the distribution centre and each person could choose a course. Employees can study both at home and onsite and take exams on a specially provided computer at the Burton site. Over the past three years this approach to learning has been extremely successful, with more than 80 employees enrolling and completing courses, ranging from IT to maths and literacy programmes.
Argos Trainer Carl Batten takes up the story: “At Argos we wanted to provide learning opportunities for our staff to improve their skills. So, we set up a designated learning centre with help from learndirect and Burton College .
“We work closely with learndirect and Burton College to make sure all members of staff starting a course are able to finish it. We offer access to the internet onsite and support for anyone wanting to study around their shift patterns. We believe that by investing in our staff they feel more valued and it is great to see an individual develop and gain confidence.”
Argos is delighted with the success of its learning programme and is planning to continue its commitment to lifelong learning by offering additional courses including National Vocational Qualifications through learndirect.